Ruckman Craig Clarke gets ready to play in the Australian Country Football Championships later this month.By Tania Martin
GEMBROOK-COCKATOO ruckman Craig Clarke is preparing to go up against some tough competition in Queensland later this month.
Clarke has been chosen as part of the WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League’s (WVCFL) state squad.
One of 28 players chosen from across the state, Clarke said he was looking forward to the Australian Country Football Championship which will be held from Friday, 28 to Sunday, 30 July on the Gold Coast.
Clarke started his football career as a junior at Emerald and Gembrook clubs and after playing seniors with Gembrook-Cockatoo he got the opportunity to play VFL.
Clarke said he played with Springvale in 1999 and went on the rookie list at Carlton in 2000 before moving to play at Frankston from 2001-2003.
Returning to Gembrook-Cockatoo three years ago, Clarke said it was good to be back playing with his old mates but is looking forward to playing in the Australia Country Football Championships.
“It is an honour to be chosen to represent the league. I will be playing with some of the best players in Victoria,” he said.
Although Clarke said he has left his run too late to play professionally in the AFL, football was still his passion and he said he would continue playing for his local club.
WVCFL squad coach and former Kangaroos champion Leigh Colbert said he was very impressed with the calibre of players selected for the championships.
“We have selected a very competitive squad which includes a good mix of experience and young, enthusiastic players who I am confident will be very competitive at the championship,” he said.
Colbert also said that the squad was training at Collingwood’s LEXUS Centre.
